Ashura: Night of blessings (II)

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The Holy Qur’an, Baqarah 2:189, says, “They ask thee concerning the new moons. Say: they are but signs to mark fixed periods of time in (the affairs of) men and for pilgrimage. It is no virtue if ye enter your houses from the back; it is virtue if ye fear God. Enter houses through the proper doors and fear God that ye may prosper”.

Prophet Isa (Jesus Christ) was saved from crucifixion on the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) and raised up to Allah. The Holy Qur’an, 4:157-159, attests, “That they said (in boast) ‘We killed Christ Jesus, the son of Mary, the Apostle of God’; but they killed him not nor crucified him but so it was made to appear to them and those who differ therein are full of doubts with no (certain) knowledge but only conjecture to follow for of a surety they killed him not.  Nay God raised him up unto Himself; and God is Exalted in Power, Wise. And there is none of the People of the Book but must believe in him before his death; and on the Day of Judgment, he will be a witness against them.”

The Jews had charged Jesus Christ with treason and impersonation before Pontius Pilate for preaching the unity of God and declaring himself the Messenger of God. The Bible, King James Version Luke 23:1-4, says, “And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ, a king’. And Pilate asked him, saying, ‘Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, ‘Thou sayest it’. Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, ‘I find no fault in this man.’” The Holy Qur’an 19:30 attests, “He said: ‘I am indeed a servant of God: He hath given me Revelation and made me a Prophet.’”

They attempted to crucify him but Allah saved him like other Prophets and raised him as Prophet Idris (Enoch) was raised who walked with God (Qur’an 3:54, 144; 7:25; 17:93). The Holy Qur’an 3:49-55 relates, “And (appoint him) an Apostle to the Children of Israel (with this message): I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I make for you out of clay as it were the figure of a bird and breathe into it and it becomes a bird by God’s leave; and I heal those born blind and the lepers and I quicken the dead by God’s leave; and I declare to you what ye eat and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe”; “(I have come to you) to attest the Law which was before me and to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you. I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear God and obey me. “It is God who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a way that is straight”; “When Jesus found unbelief on their part, he said: ‘Who will be my helpers to (the work of) God?’ Said the Disciples: ‘We are God’s helpers we believe in God and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims. Our Lord! We believe in what thou hast revealed and we follow the Apostle. Then write us down among those who bear witness’. And (then unbelievers) plotted and planned and God too planned and the best of planners is God. Behold! God said: ‘O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to Myself and clear thee (of the falsehoods) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject faith to the Day of Resurrection. Then shall ye all return unto Me and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.”

Jesus was raised up and never crucified. His prayer for God’s mercy, guidance and safety was granted on Ashura Day. The Holy Qur’an, 5:110, further attests, “Then will God say: ‘O Jesus, the son of Mary! Recount my favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel. And behold! Thou makest out of clay as it were the figure of a bird by My leave and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave and thou healest those born blind and the lepers by My leave. And behold! Thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the Clear Signs and the unbelievers among them said: This is nothing but evident magic.’”

This great day of Ashura also brought Allah’s mercy on Prophet Ayub (Job). The Holy Qur’an 38:41-44 says, “Commemorate Our servant, Job. Behold! He cried to his Lord: ‘The evil one has afflicted me with distress and suffering!’ (The command was given: ‘Strike with thy foot: here is (water) wherein to wash, cool and refreshing, and (water) to drink’. And We gave him (back) his people and doubled Tteir number, as a grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who have understanding.  And take in thy hand a little grass, and strike therewith: and break not (thy oath). Truly, We found him full of patience and constancy. How excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn (to Us)!”

Prophet Ayub was afflicted with distress and suffering for many years – many kinds of hardship, physically, mentally and spiritually. The Holy Qur’an 21:83-84 affirms, “And (remember) Job, when he cried to his Lord, ‘Truly, distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful’.  So, We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number, as a grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.”

Prophet Ayub suffered from loathsome sores from head to toe. His cattle were destroyed, his servants slain by the sword, and he did not lose faith but turned to God in prayers with patience, constancy and hope.

Thus, Allah restored him to prosperity with twice as much as he had before his brethren and friends came back to him. He had a new family of seven sons and three fair daughters. He lived to a good old age and saw four generations of his descendants (Qur’an 21:83). His recuperation process started on Ashura Day when Allah commanded him to strike his foot and water gushed out from which he drank, bathed and refreshed his spirits.

And of course, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was sent Allah’s special blessings through Angel Jubril on Ashura Day (Qur’an 5:67; 25:10; 9:60; 110:2). The Holy Qur’an 5:67 says, “O Apostle! Proclaim the (Message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His mission, and God will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For God Guideth not those who reject faith.”

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was given assurances that Allah’s mercies were on him and his followers; that he is the mercy, perfect leader and seal of Prophets to mankind; prophecies of Allah’s favour on him with abundance of good, and of treasures and palaces for his followers.

May Almighty Allah grant us the mercies of Ashura in the sacred month of Muharram. Ameen.